[SSLance]

Got the skinny, the difference is actually the axle flange thickness, the old one on the right is a 1/4" thick flange, new one on the left is a 3/8s" thick flange. Inside bearing race to outside axle flange measurement is the same on both axles. I'll verify this when I get home but it makes sense to me now that he mentioned it.

His suggestion was to take the e-brake hardware off of the caliper bracket to gain room to work to get the spacer ring and retainer plate in place and to squeeze the seal down properly. The seal will squeeze down approx 1/8" and that rubber part squeezes out to create the seal between the outer race and housing end. This would cause an issue and a potential leak if I put the ring inside the race. He also said early bearing failure is also a concern if that method is used and that is the reason we are making this swap, to prevent early bearing failure.

I told him my idea of tack welding the ring to the retainer and he liked that. He mentioned that the high end kits actually use a retainer with that spacer built into it all in one piece to avoid this issue.

I've never had the e-brake hardware off before, I'll look at it tonight to see if that method is possible, but I imagine I'll be trying out my welding skills to see if I can make two parts one for a fix.